Bridle-bit.



W. S. TEVIS, JR-

BRIDLE BIT.

APPLICATION FILED 131:0.13, 1912.

1,062,747. Patented May 27, 1913.

- IA/l/ENTO/i $74". A TTOHIVEY WILLIAM S. 'IEVIS, JR., OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

BRIDLE-BIT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 27, 1913.

Application filed December 13, 1912. Serial No. 736,538.

T 0 all whom, 2'15 may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S. Tnvrs, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridle- Bits, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved bridle and bit adapted for riding or driving purposes but particularly designed for use in breaking colts or untrained horses to harness, and has for one of its objects to provide a bit of such construction that when fitted into the animals mouth, one part will enter the mouth, as the bit now in use, and another part will encircle the under surface of the lower aw, so that when the reins extending through bit rings on each side of the bit are pulled, the animals lower will be held within the two parts of the bit and absolute control obtained over the animal.

A further object is to provide a bit having bit rings extending'from each side thereof, through which the reins pass, they being of one piece and extending over the animals head behind the ears, the reins passing through the rings in such a manner that when the reins are pulled part of the ring forms a fulcrum and the bit is twisted downwardly, pulling the animals lower aw and head in that direction and insuring absolute control over it at all times.

Another object is to provide a bit which is easily slipped into and out of the animals mouth and one that does not require the complicated bridle to support the same, as is now employed in connection with the bits now in use.

The invention comprises a bit formed from one piece of any suitable material, and having an upwardly curved bit bar adapted to be inserted in the animals mouth, a curved portion adapted to extend around the under side of the lower jaw of the animal, the curvature of said portion being op posite to that of the bit bar, the ends of the two curved portions crossing and providing loops arranged one at each side of the bit and the three loops lying in substantially the same plane, the loops at each side providing bit rings through which the reins are adapted to slide.

To comprehend the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings disclosing a complete constructed device for carrying out the inventionwherein Flgure 1, is a view of my improved device in use, disclosing the curved bit bars extending in the animals mouth, the curved portion extending under the lower jaw and the reins forming a head-stall and extending through the bit rings. Fig. 2, is a perspect1ve view of my improved bit showing the upper curved bit bar, the lower curved jaw encircling portion and the bit rings through which the reins are adapted to extend. Fig. 3, is an enlarged view of one of the bit rings showing the manner of extending the rein forming the headstall therethrough. Referring more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates my improved one piece bit, constructed of any suitable material and comprising an upwardly curved bit bar 2 adapted to fit within the mouth of the animal and extend transversely of its jaws, a downwardly or oppositely curved portion 3 adapted to extend transversely of and around the underside of the lower jaw, the two curved portions forming an approximately circular ring, with the curvation of the member 3 being slightly greater than that of the bar 2. The ends of the curved portions 2 and 3 cross each other at each side of the ring as at 4 and 5 and provide bit loops or rings 6 and 7 of a size smaller than the ring formed by the members 2 and 3. The lower curved portion 3 is provided at its crossing point with the upper curved bit bar 2 with slightly hollowed out or grooved channels 8 and 9 into which the ends of the loop member 2 are seated, thus it will be observed that a bit is provided consisting of a large loop in the center and two smaller loops one on each side thereof, the whole structure being formed from one piece of material and the loops all lying in substantially -the same plane.

The bit is retained in the animals mouth by a headstall 10 preferably formed from a single strap or rope, the same extending over the animals head behind the ears, the ends thereof extending downwardly along the cheeks of the animal, as at 11 and 12, forwardly through the bit rings 6 and 7 and then are taken rearwardly along the sides of the animal and provide reins 13 and 147, as in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

It will be observed from the above construction and mounting of the bit, that when a pull is exerted on the reins that the bit bar 2 will be forced forwardly and downwardly against the upper side of the lower jaw and the jaw encircling portion 3 will be forced rearwardly and upwardly against the under side of the lower jaw, thus the lower jaw of the animal is engaged by the two members and this is accomplished by extending the headstall strap or rope forwardly through the bit rings and then bringmg the ends thereof rearwardly fornnng the lines as the pull on the lines will exert a rearward pressure on the lower edge of the bit rings and a forward pressure on the upper edge of said rings, thus providing a fulcrum for the bit, as in Fig. l of the drawings.

The reins may be knotted or provided with any suitable means as at 15 to prevent their slipping through the bit rings when the device is not in use, and the lower jaw encircling portion 3 may be provided with any suitable ornament, as in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Let ters Patent is 1. A one piece bridle bit comprising a curved bit bar, an oppositely curved men1- ber adapted to extend around the under side of the lower aw, the two members forming a substantially clrcular ring and crossing at opposite sides thereof and forming bit rings,

said bit rings being of a smaller diameter than the first mentioned ring and arranged without the area of the larger ring, and adapted to receive the reins forming the headstall and provide a fulcrum for said bit.

2. A. one piece bridle bit comprising an on wardly curved bit bar, an oppositely curved bar adapted to extend around the under side of the lower jaw, the curvature of said bar being greater than that of the bit bar, the two forming a substantially circular ring and crossing at opposite sides thereof and forming bit rings one at each end of said curved bars, and arranged without the area of said circular ring, said bit rings adapted to receive the reins and provide a fulcrum point for said bit bar and jaw encircling member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM S. TEVIS, JR. Vitnesses.

N. A. Aonen, D. B. RICHARDS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

